CEBU, Philippines - “It’s just great. The clothes are exquisite,” raved Style Origins’ director Jackie Aquino who flew in town just for this show at the Ayala Center Cebu. One among the many of Filippo by Philip Rodriguez’ more high-profile fans, who arrived at the retail show (held in a cloistered courtyard of The Terraces) wanting one of his nautical shirts. It wasn’t hard to see why the celebrated designer holds such appeal for the likes of Aquino; his collection was the epitome of effortless chic. So were other labels like the somber colored collection of Loalde, Nautica, Girbaud and Penguin vis-a-vis the colorific lines of Accessorize, Giordano, Speedo, What A Girl Wants and of course, Filippo. And though it might be ready-to-wear, every piece—every stitch, even—showed a zeal for the craft of couture.
From the first spandex minidress from Speedo to the knife-pleated Lurex skirts worn with backless chiffon halters from Filippo with golden belts, the labels’ clothes were impeccable. Yes, they’re chic casuals and even more chic cocktail outfits—perfect for those ladies and gents who never have a hair or hemline out of place. That’s not to say they won’t appeal to younger high-maintenance types, too. As there were experimental pairings from Giordano, Accessorize, Girbaud and What A Girl Wants but the effect was dynamic and contemporary, without any need for gimmicks or fuss.
Backstage, the Filippo designer said the collection was inspired by Greek goddesses and what they might wear vacationing in Ibiza or the Seychelles. His versions served as the bedrock of the whole show’s collection, cut narrow, never tight, in long and mini proportions even for the sportswear line Speedo. But graceful glamour ended the show in the form of those must-have goddess dresses in wavy chiffon pleats that precede the color-blocked Mondrian sheaths all, from Filippo. If ever a Hollywood star needed some fashion credibility, she or he could do well to start here.